COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK

Photo by Jolene GuzmanCustomers look through books at the Friends of the Dallas Library’s book sale on Friday. The two-day library fundraiser featured hardcover and paperback booksof all genres. If you missed the event last weekend, the friends hold a second sale in October.

Award-winning Oregon author Deborah Hopkinson will read from her new book, “A Letter to my Teacher,” at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

The presentation will include a writing activity and a chance to pen a letter of thanks to a teacher, in time for Teacher Appreciation Day, which is the first week of May.

Copies of Hopkinson’s book will be available for purchase.

MICC lunch to feature foundation

The Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation will be the speaker at Wednesday’s (today) Monmouth-Independence Chamber lunch forum.

It is too late to order lunch, but you may still attend the forum.

The forum will be from noon to 1 p.m. at the Polk County Service Club, 340 S. Third St., Independence.

Forums are open to all chamber members, guests and friends, are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Registration is requested to help the host site properly prepare.

More information: micc@minetfiber.com.

Food for fines continues

The Independence and Monmouth libraries will celebrate National Library Week with a Food for Fines drive.

The annual event allows local library users to help the Ella Curran Food Bank while reducing their library fines. To participate in the Food for Fines program, bring any of the following items to your library through Saturday:

The class will be held weekly on Saturdays through May 27 from 8:20 to 11:20 a.m. In the event of an emergency, our primary modes of communication may be disrupted. Ham radio is a third-tier fallback mode of communication. The class will prepare participants to pass a technician class license exam.

There is no minimum age requirement.

To RSVP or for more information: deansprague64@ gmail.com.

Tickets for King’s Ball available

Tickets for the King’s Masquerade Ball Dinner and Auction on April 22 at Kings Valley Charter School, 38840 Kings Valley Highway, Philomath, are available through Saturday.

On-site child care will be available for $5. Kings Valley Charter School foreign language students will provide hot dogs, popcorn and a movie. There will be two rooms — one for smaller kids and one for tweens.

For more information: Glenda Bush, gbush@ kvschool.org.

SomeThings to host Out & About

The Dallas Downtown Association will hold an “Out and About in Dallas” at Some Things, 857 Main St., Dallas, Wednesday (today) from 6 to 8 p.m.

An adult Easter egg hunt will be held and refreshments will be served. The quarterly events help provide a way for community members to socialize and network with other members of the community and business owners.

For more information: Emma Guida, 971-701-1880.

Logger forum set for Tuesday

The Marion/Polk Chapter of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association will hold a logger forum Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Independence library conference room, 175 Monmouth St., Independence.

Information about logging, loggers and logging jobs will be available.

A moderated discussion will feature commercial loggers discussing their equipment, capabilities, limitations, costs and time frames.

There is no cost to attend and the public is invited.

MTAB to celebrate Arbor Day Saturday

The Monmouth Tree Advisory Board will hold an Arbor Day celebration Saturday at 9 a.m. at Main Street Park.

For more information: Mark Fancey, community development director: 503-751-0147.

Brunk House to hold open house

The Polk County Historical Society will hold a spring open house at the Brunk House, 5705 Salem-Dallas Highway NW, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Auto Clubs of Salem will have refurbished vehicles for visitors to enjoy. The master gardeners, who work mostly in the vegetable and berry gardens, will hold a clinic to answer any questions.

Attendees may take a tour of the Brunk House for a donation.

Pie, cookies and other desserts will be available.

For more information: Jo Ann King, 503-838-6603, or Polk County Museum, 503-623-6251.

PC Museum to feature McArthur

The Polk County History Museum will hold a special program featuring Scott McArthur Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

McArthur, a retired attorney, local historian, 49-year member of the Polk County Historical Society, and author of five local history books, will speak on short stories of strange things in Polk County.

Light refreshments will be available.

There is no cost to attend.

For more information: 503-623-6251.

Dallas Mat Club fundraiser begins

The Dallas Mat Club’s flower basket fundraiser is underway.

Twelve-inch hanging flower baskets featuring petunias with various annuals are available for $30 each, made by Al’s Nursery.

Orders are due by April 31. Flowers will be delivered by May 9.

All proceeds benefit youth and middle school wrestling programs in Dallas.

For more information: dallasmatclub@gmail.com.

Master Gardeners seek donations

The Polk County Master Gardener Plant Sale Country Store is seeking tax-deductible items they can repair or repurpose for a fundraiser in May.

Items are needed now to allow time to make repairs.

The Polk County Master Gardeners are a 501(C)3 nonprofit. Among the items needed include metal or wood objects, old gates, bottles, vases, notable dishes, garden pottery, tea cups, pitchers or bowls, bird houses, bird feeders, patio furniture, plant stands, iron implements, collectible antiques, and items that can be repurposed to be useful in a new way.

Master Gardeners can arrange to pick up items.

To arrange a pickup, Rachel Montesano: 917-219-5629.

Funds from the Master Gardener plant sale benefit Polk County libraries in Dallas, Independence and Monmouth, fund plant clinics for the public, and help with supplies for demonstration gardens in Polk County.